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UPSC Prelims 1986 · Indian Geography · India’s Land and Borders
The shape of the Himalayas is like
- (a) An arc
- (b) A curvilinear straight line
- (c) A straight line
- (d) A right angle
Show the answer and explanation
Answer: (a) An arc
The Himalaya forms an arc about 2,400 km long, curving south.
The idea
A mountain range’s plan shape is its outline viewed from above. The Himalayan belt curves across northern India instead of following a straight east–west line. This broad arc differs from the local bends of individual valleys and ridges.
Also know
Himadri, Himachal and Shiwalik are broadly parallel Himalayan belts from north to south. The Karakoram lies beyond the main Himalayan belt. At the eastern end, the mountain system bends towards the Patkai, Naga and Mizo hills of the Purvanchal.
🔒 Himalaya: arc from Nanga Parbat (west) to Namcha Barwa (east).
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